Return of Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch from Fortress Monroe.--Quarrel between
Mr. Memminger and Mr. Seddon.--Famine.--A victory in Louisiana.--
Vice-President Stephens's speech.--Victory of Gen. Forrest.--Capture
of Plymouth, N. C.--Gen. Lee's bill of fare.
APRIL 1ST.--Cloudy all day, with occasional light showers.
No war news; but the papers have an account of the shooting of an infant
by some Yankees on account of its _name_. This shows that the war is
degenerating more and more into savage barbarism.
APRIL 2D.--It rained furiously all night; wind northwest, and snowed
to-day until 12 M. to a depth of several inches. It is still blowing a
gale from the northwest.
To-day the clerks were paid in the new currency; but I see no abatement
of prices from the scarcity of money, caused by funding. Shad are
selling at $10 each, paper; or 50 cents, silver. Gold and silver are
circulating--a little.
A letter from Liberty, Va., states that government bacon (tithe) is
spoiling, in bulk, for want of attention.
From Washington County there are complaints that Gen. Longstreet's
impressing officers are taking all, except five bushels of grain and
fifty pounds of bacon for each adult--a plenty, one would think, under
the circumstances.
Senator Hunter has asked and obtained a detail for Mr. Daudridge (under
eighteen) as quartermaster's clerk. And Mr. Secretary Seddon has ordered
the commissary to let Mrs. Michie have sugar and flour for her family,
white and black.
Mr. Secretary Benjamin sent over, to-day, for passports to the
Mississippi River for two "secret agents." What for?
Gen. Lee has made regulations to prevent cotton, tobacco, etc. passing
his lines into the enemy's country, unless allowed by the government.
But, then, several in authority _will_ "allow" it without limit.
I set out sixty-eight early cabbage-plants yesterday. They are now under
the snow!
APRIL 3D.--The snow has disappeared; but it is cloudy, with a cold
northwest wind. The James River is very high, and all the streams are so
much swollen that no military operations in the field are looked for
immediately. It is generally believed that Grant, the Federal
lieutenant-general, will concentrate an immense army for the capture of
Richmond, and our authorities are invoked to make the necessary
dispositions to resist the attempt.
The papers contain a supplemental proclamation of President Lincoln, and
understand it to be merely an electioneering card to secure the
Abolition vote in the convention to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. If it does not mean that, its object must be to induce us to
send an army North to burn and pillage, so that the Federal authorities
may have a pretext to raise new armies, and prosecute the war, not for
the Union, but for conquest and power.
Custis and I received yesterday $500 in the _new_ Treasury notes, but we
had to pay $16 for two pounds of bacon. So no diminution of prices is
yet experienced. _It is now a famine_, although I believe we are
starving in the midst of plenty, if it were only equally distributed.
But the government will not, it seems, require the railroads to bring
provisions to the exclusion of freight for the speculators. Certain
non-combating officers of the government have abundance brought them by
the _Southern_ Express Co., and the merchants have abundance of goods
brought hither by the same company for the purposes of speculation.
Well, we shall see the result! One is almost ready to believe that the
government declines to fill the depots here, harboring the purpose of
abandoning the city. That would be abandonment of the cause. Nearly all
who own no slaves would remain citizens of the United States, if
permitted, without further molestation on the part of the Federal
authorities, and many Virginians in the field might abandon the
Confederate States army. The State would be lost, and North Carolina and
Tennessee would have an inevitable avalanche of invasion precipitated
upon them. The only hope would be civil war in the North, a not
improbable event. What could they do with four millions of negroes
arrogating equality with the whites?
APRIL 4TH.--A cold rain all day; wind from northwest.
Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch, agents of exchange (of prisoners), have
returned from a conference with Gen. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and it
is announced that arrangements have been made for an immediate
resumption of the exchange of prisoners on the old footing. Thus has the
government abandoned the ground so proudly assumed--of non-intercourse
with Butler, and the press is firing away at it for negotiating with the
"Beast" and outlaw. But our men in captivity are in favor of a speedy
exchange, no matter with whom the agreement is made.
Forrest has destroyed Paducah, Ky.
There is a little quarrel in progress between the Secretaries of War and
the Treasury. Some days ago the Postmaster-General got from the
President an order that his clerks should be detailed for the use of the
department until further orders. The Secretary of the Treasury made an
application to the Secretary of War for a similar detail, but it was
refused. Mr. Memminger appealed, with some acerbity, to the President,
and the President indorsed on the paper that the proper rule would be
for the Secretary of War to detail as desired by heads of departments.
Nevertheless, the clerks were detailed but for thirty days, to report at
the Camp of Instruction, if the detail were not renewed. To-day Mr.
Memminger addresses a note to Mr. Seddon, inquiring if it was his
purpose to hold his clerks liable to perform military duty after the
expiration of the thirty days, and declaring that the incertitude and
inconvenience of constantly applying for renewal of details, deranged
and obstructed the business of his department. I know not yet what
answer Mr. S. made, but doubtless a breach exists through which one or
both may pass out of the cabinet. The truth is, that all clerks
constitutionally appointed are legally exempt, and it is the boldest
tyranny to enroll them as conscripts. But Mr. Memminger has no scruples
on that head. All of them desire to retain in "soft places" their own
relatives and friends, feeling but little sympathy for others whose
refugee families are dependent on their salaries.
On Saturday, the cavalry battalion for local defense, accepted last
summer by the President, were notified on parade that 20 days would be
allowed them to choose their companies in the army, and if the choice
were not made, they would be assigned to companies. They protested
against this as despotic, but there is no remedy.
APRIL 5TH.--Cold rain all night and all day; wind northwest.
The Quartermaster-General _now_ recommends that no furloughs be given,
so as to devote the railroads to the transportation of grain to
Virginia.
The Commissary-General again informs the Secretary of War, to-day, that
unless the passenger trains were discontinued, the army could not be
subsisted, and Richmond and all Virginia might have to be abandoned, and
the country might be pillaged by our own soldiers. Not a word against
the Southern (Yankee) Express Company.
Our prospects are brighter than they have been for many a day, and the
enemy are doomed, I think, to a speedy humiliation.
I saw a note to-day from Mr. Memminger stating his fears that the amount
of Treasury notes funded will not exceed $200,000,000, leaving
$600,000,000 still in circulation! It is true, some $300,000,000 might
be collected in taxes, if due vigilance were observed,--but _will_ it be
observed? He says he can make between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 of the
new currency per day. If this be done, the redundancy will soon be as
great as ever. Nothing but success in the field will prevent an
explosion and repudiation of the currency, sooner or later.
APRIL 6TH.--At mid-day it cleared off; wind still northwest, and cool.
Beans (white) were held to-day at $5 per quart! and other articles of
food in proportion. How we are to live is the anxious question. At
auction old sheets brought $25 a piece, and there seemed to be an
advance on everything, instead of a decline as was expected. The
speculators and extortioners seem to act in concert, and the government
appears to be no match for them. It is not the scarcity of food which
causes the high prices, for wood and coal sell as high as other things,
and they are no scarcer than at any former period. But it is an
insatiable thirst for gain, which I fear the Almighty Justicer will
rebuke in some signal manner, perhaps in the emancipation of the slaves,
and then the loss will be greater than all the gains reaped from the
heart's blood of our brave soldiers and the tears of the widow and
orphan! And government still neglects the wives and children of the
soldiers,--a fearful risk!
But, alas! how are our brave men faring in the hands of the demon
fanatics in the United States? It is said _they_ are dying like sheep.
APRIL 7TH.--A bright spring day.
We look for startling news from the Rappahannock in a few days.
Longstreet will be there.
Gen. Lee writes that the fortifications around Richmond ought to be
pushed to completion: 2000 negroes are still at work on them.
APRIL 8TH.--Bright and warm--really a fine spring day. It is the day of
_fasting_, humiliation, and prayer, and all the offices are closed. May
God put it into the hearts of the extortioners to relent, and abolish,
for a season, the insatiable greed for gain! I paid $25 for a half cord
of wood to-day, new currency. I fear a nation of extortioners are
unworthy of independence, and that we must be chastened and purified
before success will be vouchsafed us.
What enormous appetites we have now, and how little illness, since food
has become so high in price! I cannot afford to have more than an ounce
of meat daily for each member of my family of six; and to-day Custis's
parrot, which has accompanied the family in all their flights, and, it
seems, will _never_ die, stole the cook's ounce of fat meat and gobbled
it up before it could be taken from him. He is permitted to set at one
corner of the table, and has lately acquired a fondness for meat. The
old cat goes staggering about from debility, although Fannie often gives
him her share. We see neither rats nor mice about the premises now. This
is famine. Even the pigeons watch the crusts in the hands of the
children, and follow them in the yard. _And, still, there are no
beggars._
The plum-tree in my neighbor's garden is in blossom to-day, and I see a
few blossoms on our cherry-trees. I have set out some 130 early York
cabbage-plants--very small; and to-day planted lima and snap beans. I
hope we shall have no more cold weather, for garden seed, if those
planted failed to come up, would cost more than the crops in ordinary
times.
APRIL 9TH.--Rained all day.
Lieut. Tyler, grandson of President Tyler, is here on furlough, which
expires to-morrow. His father (the major), whom he has not seen for two
years, he learns, will be in the city day after to-morrow; and to-day he
sought admittance to Mr. Secretary Seddon to obtain a prolongation of
his furlough, so as to enable him to remain two days and see his parent.
But Mr. Kean refused him admittance, and referred him to the
Adjutant-General, who was sick and absent; and thus "red tape" exhibits
its insensibility to the dictates of humanity, even when no advantage is
gained by it. Robert Tyler subsequently addressed a note to Mr. K., the
purport of which I did not inquire.
We have no war news--indeed, no newspapers to-day. The wet weather,
however, may be in our favor, as it will give us time to concentrate in
Virginia. Better give up all the cities South, than lose Richmond. As
long as we hold Richmond and Virginia, the "head and heart" of the
"rebellion," we shall not only be between the enemy (south of us) and
their own country, but within reach of it.
APRIL 10TH.--Rained all night. Cloudy to-day; wind southwest.
The Secretary of War must feel his subordination to Gen. Bragg. Gen.
Fitz Lee recommended strongly a Prussian officer for appointment in the
cavalry, and Mr. Seddon referred it to Gen. B., suggesting that he might
be appointed in the cavalry corps to be stationed near this city. Gen.
B. returns the paper, saying the President intends to have an organized
brigade of cavalry from the Army of Northern Virginia on duty here, and
there will be no vacancy in it. From this it seems that the Secretary is
not only not to be gratified by the appointment, but is really kept in
ignorance of army movements in contemplation!
Major Griswold has resigned, at last. He did not find his position a bed
of roses. I believe he abandons the Confederate States service
altogether, and will attend to the collection of claims, and the defense
of prisoners, probably arrested by Major Carrington, his successor in
office.
To-day I saw two conscripts from Western Virginia conducted to the cars
(going to Lee's army) _in chains_. It made a chill shoot through my
breast. I doubt its policy, though they may be peculiar offenders.
The benevolent Capt. Warner, being persecuted by the Commissary-General
for telling the _truth_ in regard to the rations, etc., is settling his
accounts as rapidly as possible, and will resign his office. He says he
will resume his old business, publishing books, etc.
APRIL 11TH.--Rained all night, but clear most of the day.
There are rumors of Burnside landing troops on the Peninsula; also of
preparations for movements on the Rappahannock--by which side is
uncertain. It is said troops are coming from Mississippi, Lieut.-Gen.
(Bishop) Polk's command.
The FAMINE is still advancing, and his gaunt proportions loom up daily,
as he approaches with gigantic strides. The rich speculators, however,
and the officers of influence stationed here, who have secured the favor
of the Express Company, get enough to eat. Potatoes sell at $1 per
quart; chickens, $35 per pair; turnip greens, $4 per peck! An ounce of
meat, daily, is the allowance to each member of my family, the cat and
parrot included. The pigeons of my neighbor have disappeared. Every day
we have accounts of robberies, the preceding night, of cows, pigs,
bacon, flour--and even the setting hens are taken from their nests!
APRIL 12TH.--Cloudy--rained in the afternoon.
This is the anniversary of the first gun of the war, fired at Fort
Sumter.
It is still said and believed that Gen. Lee will take the initiative,
and attack Grant. The following shows that we have had another success:
"MOBILE, April 11th, 1864.
"TO GEN. S. COOPER, A. & I. GENERAL.
"The following report was received at Baton Rouge, on the 3d inst.,
from the Surgeon-General of Banks's army: We met the enemy near
Shreveport. Union force repulsed with great loss. How many can you
accommodate in hospitals at Baton Rouge? Steamer Essex, or Benton,
destroyed by torpedoes in Red River, and a transport captured by
Confederates.
"Farragut reported preparing to attack Mobile. Six monitors coming
to him. The garrisons of New Orleans and Baton Rouge were very much
reduced for the purpose of increasing Banks's forces.
"D. H. MAURY, _Major-General Commanding_."
APRIL 13TH.--A clear, but cool day. Again planted corn, the other having
rotted.
There is an unofficial report that one of our torpedo boats struck the
Federal war steamer Minnesota yesterday, near Newport News, and damaged
her badly.
I learn (from an official source) to-day that Gen. Longstreet's corps is
at Charlottesville, to co-operate with Lee's army, which will soon move,
no doubt.
Gen. Bragg received a dispatch yesterday, requesting that commissary
stores for Longstreet be sent to Charlottesville, and he ordered his
military secretary to direct the Commissary-General accordingly. To this
Col. Northrop, C. G. S., took exceptions, and returned the paper,
calling the attention of Gen. B.'s secretary to the Rules and
Regulations, involving a matter of red tape etiquette. The C. G. S. can
only be _ordered_ or _directed_ by the Secretary of War. Gen. B. sent
the paper to the Secretary, with the remark that if he is to be
restricted, etc., his usefulness must be necessarily diminished. The
Secretary sent for Col. N., and I suppose pacified him.
APRIL 14TH.--Bright morning--cloudy and cold the rest of the day.
No reliable war news to-day; but we are on the tip-toe of expectation of
exciting news from the Rapidan. Longstreet is certainly in
communication with Lee; and if the enemy be not present with
overwhelming numbers, which there is no reason to anticipate, a great
battle may be imminent.
Read Vice-President Stephens's speech against the suspension of the writ
of _habeas corpus_ to-day. He said independence without liberty was of
no value to him, and if he must have a master, he cared not whether he
was Northern or Southern. If we gain our independence, this speech will
_ruin_ Mr. S.; if we do not, it may save him and his friends.
APRIL 15TH.--Cloudy--slight showers. I published an article yesterday in
the _Enquirer_, addressed to the President, on the subject of supplies
for the army and the people (the government to take all the supplies in
the country), the annihilation of speculation, and the necessary
suppression of the Southern (Yankee) Express Company. This elicited the
approval of Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, who spoke to me on
the subject. He told me the Express Company had attempted to _bribe_
him, by offering to bring his family supplies gratis, etc. He said he
had carried his point, in causing Gen. Bragg to address him according to
military etiquette. He showed me another order from Bragg (through the
Adjutant-General), to take possession of the toll meal at Crenshaw's
mills. This he says is contrary to contract, and he was going to the
Secretary to have it withdrawn. "Besides," said he, "and truly, it would
do no good. The people must eat, whether they get meal from Crenshaw or
not. If not, they will get it elsewhere, and what they do get will be so
much diverted from the commissariat."
There are rumors of the enemy accumulating a heavy force at Suffolk.
The guard at Camp Lee are going in the morning to Lee's army; their
places here to be filled by the reserve forces of boys and old men. This
indicates a battle on the Rapidan.
APRIL 16TH.--Rained all night, and in fitful showers all day.
We have more accounts (unofficial) of a victory near Shreveport, La. One
of the enemy's gun-boats has been blown up and sunk in Florida.
By late Northern arrivals we see that a Mr. Long, member of Congress,
has spoken in favor of our recognition. A resolution of expulsion was
soon after introduced.
Gen. Lee has suggested, and the Secretary of War has approved, a project
for removing a portion of the population from Richmond into the country.
Its object is to accumulate supplies for the army. If some 20,000 could
be moved away, it would relieve the rest to some extent.
Troops are passing northward every night. The carnage and carnival of
death will soon begin!
APRIL 17TH.--Rained until bedtime--then cleared off quite cold. This
morning it is cold, with occasional sunshine.
Gen. Beauregard's instructions to Major-Gen. Anderson in Florida, who
has but 8000 men, opposed by 15,000, were referred by the Secretary of
War to Gen. Bragg, who returned them with the following snappish
indorsement: "The enemy's strength seems greatly exaggerated, and the
instructions too much on the defensive."
APRIL 18TH.--Cleared away in the night--frost. To-day it clouded up
again!
We have an account from the West, to the effect that Forrest _stormed_
Fort Pillow, putting all the garrison, but one hundred, to the sword;
there being 700 in the fort--400 negroes.
APRIL 19TH.--Cloudy and cold.
We have no authentic war news, but are on the tip-toe of expectation.
The city is in some commotion on a rumor that the non combating
population will be required to leave, to avoid transportation of food to
the city. Corn is selling at $1.25 per bushel in Georgia and Alabama;
here, at $40--such is the deplorable condition of the railroads, or
rather of the management of them. Col. Northrop, Commissary-General,
said to-day that Gen. Lee and the Secretary of War were responsible for
the precarious state of affairs, in not taking all the means of
transportation for the use of the army; and that our fate was suspended
by a hair.
The President returned the paper to-day, relating to the matter of
etiquette between Col. Northrop and Gen. Bragg's military secretary. The
President says that Gen. B. certainly has the right to give
orders--being assigned to duty here, and, I presume, representing the
President himself; but that any one of his staff, unless directing those
of inferior rank, ought to give commands "by order" of Gen. Bragg. Col. N.
says that don't satisfy him; and that no general has a right to issue
orders to him!
The famine is becoming more terrible daily; and soon no salary will
suffice to support one's family.
The 1st and 2d Auditors and their clerks (several hundred, male and
female) have been ordered to proceed to Montgomery, Ala. Perhaps the
government will soon remove thither entirely. This is ill-timed, as the
enemy will accept it as an indication of an abandonment of the capital;
and many of our people will regard it as a preliminary to the evacuation
of Richmond. It is more the effect of extortion and high prices, than
apprehension of the city being taken by the enemy.
APRIL 20TH.--A clear morning, but a cold, cloudy day.
The following dispatch from Gen. Forrest shows that the bloody work has
commenced in earnest:
"DEMOPOLIS, ALA., April 19th.
"TO GEN. S. COOPER.
"The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Forrest,
dated Jackson, Tenn., April 15th.
"L. POLK, _Lieut.-General_.
"I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a
part of Bell's and McCulloch's brigades, numbering ----, under
Brig.-Gen. J. R. Chalmers. After a short fight we drove the enemy,
seven hundred strong, into the fort, under cover of their
gun-boats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L.
W. Booth, commanding United States forces. I stormed the fort, and
after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison,
killing 500 and taking 100 prisoners, and a large amount of
quartermaster stores. The officers in the fort were killed,
including Major Booth. I sustained a loss of 20 killed and 60
wounded. The Confederate flag now floats over the fort.
"(Signed) N. B. FORREST, _Major-General_."
There is a rumor that Grant's army is falling back toward Centreville.
It is supposed by many that all the departments will follow the Auditor
to Montgomery soon.
APRIL 21ST.--Bright sunshine all day, but cool.
Gen. Bragg received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Hoke, of Plymouth, N. C.,
stating that he had (yesterday) _stormed_ Plymouth, taking 1600
prisoners, 25 cannon, stores, etc. etc. This put the city in as good
spirits as possible.
But the excitement from Hoke's victory was supplanted by an excitement
of another kind. A report was circulated and believed that the President
resolved yesterday to remove the government to South Carolina or
Alabama; and the commotion was very great. The President's salary is
insufficient to meet his housekeeping expenditures; and Mrs. D. has
become, very naturally, somewhat indignant at the conduct of the
extortioners, and, of course, the President himself partook of the
indignation.
At 2 P.M. to-day the President's papers came in. Among them was one from
the Commissary-General, stating that the present management of railroad
transportation would not suffice to subsist the army. This had been
referred to Gen. Bragg yesterday (who seems to _rank_ the Secretary of
War), and he made an elaborate indorsement thereon. He recommended that
all passenger trains be discontinued, except one daily, and on this that
government agents, soldiers, etc. have preference; that arrangements be
made at once to hasten on the freight trains (taking military possession
of the roads) without breaking bulk; and finally to reduce consumers
here as much as possible by a reduction of civil officers, etc. etc. in
the departments--that is, sending to other places such as can perform
their duties at distant points. On this the President indorsed a
reference to the Secretary of War, requiring his opinion in writing,
etc. Since then, the President and cabinet have been in consultation,
and we shall probably know the result to-morrow.
If the departments are sent South, it will cause a prodigious outburst
from the press here, and may have a bad, blundering effect on the army
in Virginia, composed mostly of Virginians; and Gen. Bragg will have to
bear the brunt of it, although the government will be solely
responsible.
Gov. Vance recommended the suspension of conscription in the eastern
counties of North Carolina the other day. This paper was referred by the
Secretary to the President, by the President to Gen. B. (who is a native
of North Carolina), and, seeing what was desired, Gen. B. recommended
that the conscription be proceeded with. This may cause Gov. V. to be
defeated at the election, and Gen. B. will be roundly abused. He will be
unpopular still.
APRIL 22D.--A bright day and warmer. Cherry-trees in blossom. We have
the following war news:
"PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20th.
"TO GEN. BRAGG.
"I have stormed and captured this place, capturing 1 brigadier,
1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery.
"R. F. HOKE, _Brig.-General_."
The President has changed his mind since the reception of the news from
North Carolina, and has determined that _all_ the government shall not
leave Richmond until further orders. All that can be spared will go,
however, at once. The War and Navy Departments will remain for the
present. The news is said to have had a wonderful effect on the
President's mind; and he hopes we may derive considerable supplies from
Eastern North Carolina. So do I.
Gov. Watts writes to the Secretary that commissary agents, who ought to
be in the ranks, are making unnecessary impressments, leaving to each
negro only four ounces of bacon per day. He says the government has
already some 10,000,000 pounds of bacon in Alabama; and that if the
other States, east of the Mississippi, furnish a proportional amount,
there will be 60,000,000 pounds--enough to feed our armies twelve
months.
The Commissary-General's estimates for the next six months are for
400,000 men.
APRIL 23D.--A bright day, with southern breezes.
It is rumored and believed that Gen. Lee's army is in motion. If this be
so, we shall soon hear of a "fight, or a foot race." And how can Grant
run away, when Mr. Chase, the Federal Secretary of the Treasury, openly
proclaims ruin to the finances unless they speedily achieve success in
the field? I think he must fight; and I am sure he will be beaten, for
Lee's strength is probably underestimated.
We are also looking to hear more news from North Carolina; and Newbern
will probably be stormed next, since storming is now the order of the
day.
APRIL 24TH.--Cloudy and windy, but warm.
We have none of the details yet of the storming of Plymouth, except the
brief dispatches in the newspapers; nor any reliable accounts of
subsequent movements. But a letter from Gen. Whiting indicates that all
his troops had been taken northward, and we may expect something further
of interest.
It is still believed that Lee's and Grant's armies are in motion on the
Rappahannock; but whether going North or coming South, no one seems to
know. Our people unanimously look for a victory.
I bought a black coat at auction yesterday (short swallow-tailed) for
$12. It is fine cloth, not much worn--its owner going into the army,
probably--but out of _fashion_. If it had been a frock-coat, it would
have brought $100. It is no time for _fashion_ now.
Gen. Johnston's Chief Commissary offers to send some bacon to Lee's
army. A short time since, it was said, Johnston was prevented from
_advancing_ for want of rations.
APRIL 25TH.--A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes.
No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at
Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina,
though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy's
killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we
got 2500 prisoners.
President Lincoln has made a speech at Baltimore, threatening
retaliation for the slaughter at Fort Pillow--which was _stormed_.
Lieut.-Gen. Polk telegraphs that our forces have captured and burnt one
of the enemy's gun-boats at Yazoo City--first taking out her guns, eight
rifled 24-pounders.
To-day Mr. Memminger, in behalf of the ladies in his department,
presented a battle-flag to the Department Battalion for its gallant
conduct in the repulse of Dahlgren's raid. But the ladies leave early in
the morning for South Carolina.
The President still says that many of the government officers and
employees must be sent away, if transportation cannot be had to feed
them here as well as the armies.
APRIL 26TH.--Another truly fine spring day.
The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappahannock continues still. The
two armies seem to be measuring each other's strength before the awful
conflict begins.
It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown.
Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department;
and Gen. Winder's expectations of promotion are blasted. Will he resign?
I think not.
The enemy's accounts of the battle on the Red River do not agree with
the reports we have.
Neither do the Federal accounts of the storming of Fort Pillow agree
with ours.
APRIL 27TH.--Another bright and beautiful day; and vegetation is
springing with great rapidity. But nearly all my potatoes, corn,
egg-plants, and tomatoes seem to have been killed by the frosts of
March. I am replanting corn, lima beans, etc. The other vegetables are
growing well. One of my fig-bushes was killed--that is, nearly all the
branches. The roots live.
It is rumored that the armies on the Rapidan were drawn up in line.
The enemy have again evacuated Suffolk.
Gen. Beauregard is at Weldon. Perhaps Burnside may hurl his blows
against North Carolina.
Food is still advancing in price; and unless relief comes from some
quarter soon, this city will be in a deplorable condition. A good many
fish, however, are coming in, and shad have fallen in price to $12 per
pair.
The government ordered the toll of meal here (which the miller,
Crenshaw, sold to the people) to be taken for the army; but Col.
Northrop, Commissary-General, opposes this; and it is to be hoped, as
usual, he may have his way, in spite of even the President. These papers
pass through the hands of the Secretary of War.
The French ships have gone down the river, without taking much tobacco;
said to have been ordered away by the United States Government.
Col. W. M. Browne (the President's English A.D.C.), it is said, goes to
Georgia as commandant of conscripts for that State. It is probable he
offended some one of the President's family, domestic or military. The
_people_ had long been offended by his presence and arrogance.
The _Enquirer_, to-day, has a communication assaulting Messrs. Toombs
and Stephens, and impeaching their loyalty. The writer denounced the
Vice-President severely for his opposition to the suspension of the
writ of _habeas corpus_. During the day the article was sent to Mr.
Secretary Seddon, with the compliments of Mr. Parker--the author, I
suppose.
APRIL 28TH.--After a slight shower last night, a cool, clear morning.
The ominous silence or pause between the armies continues. Lieut.-Gen.
Longstreet, it is said, is "hidden." I suppose he is working his way
around the enemy's right flank. If so, we shall soon hear thunder.
It is also supposed that Lee meditates an incursion into Pennsylvania,
and that Gen. Beauregard will protect his rear and cover this city. All
is merely conjecture.
We are amused at the enemy's accounts of the storming of Plymouth. Their
papers pretend to have not heard the result, and would lead their
readers to believe that Gen. Hoke was repulsed, and that the place is
"impregnable."
The following appears in the morning papers:
"GEN. LEE'S BILL OF FARE.--The Richmond correspondent of the Mobile
_Advertiser_ gives the following about Gen. Lee's mode of living:
"In Gen. Lee's tent meat is eaten but twice a week, the general not
allowing it oftener, because he believes indulgence in meat to be
criminal in the present straitened condition of the country. His
ordinary dinner consists of a head of cabbage, boiled in salt water, and
a pone of corn bread. In this connection rather a comic story is told.
Having invited a number of gentlemen to dine with him, Gen. Lee, in a
fit of extravagance, ordered a sumptuous repast of cabbage and middling.
The dinner was served: and, behold, a great pile of cabbage and a bit of
middling about four inches long and two inches across! The guests, with
commendable politeness, unanimously declined middling, and it remained
in the dish untouched. Next day Gen. Lee, remembering the delicate
tit-bit which had been so providentially preserved, ordered his servant
to bring 'that middling.' The man hesitated, scratched his head, and
finally owned up: 'De fac is, Masse Robert, dat ar middlin' was borrid
middlin'; we all did'n had nar spec; and I done paid it back to de man
whar I got it from.' Gen. Lee heaved a sigh of deepest disappointment,
and pitched into his cabbage."
By a correspondence between the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, I
saw that Mr. Memminger has about _a million and a quarter in coin_ at
Macon, Ga., seized as the property of the New Orleans banks--perhaps
belonging to Northern men. I believe it was taken when there was an
attempt made to smuggle it North. What it is proposed to do with it _I
know not_, but I think neither the President nor the Secretaries will
hesitate to use it--if there be a "military necessity." Who knows but
that one or more members of Mr. Lincoln's cabinet, or his generals,
might be purchased with gold? Fortress Monroe would be cheap at that
price!
APRIL 29TH.--A letter from Major-Gen. Hoke, dated Plymouth, April 25th,
and asking the appointment of Lieut.-Col. Dearing to a brigadiership,
says his promotion is desired to lead a brigade in the expedition
against Newbern. The President directs the Secretary to appoint him
temporarily "for the expedition." Soon we shall know the result.
By flag of truce boat, it is understood Northern papers admit a Federal
defeat on the Red River, the storming of Plymouth, etc., and charge the
Federal authorities at Washington with having published falsehoods to
deceive the people. Gold was $1.83.
Troops are passing through Richmond now, day and night, concentrating
under Lee. The _great_ battle cannot be much longer postponed.
Last night was clear and cold, and we have fire to-day.
The President has decided not to call into service the reserve class
unless on extraordinary occasions, but to let them remain at home and
cultivate the soil.
It is now probable the Piedmont Railroad will be completed by the 1st
June, as extreme necessity drives the government to some degree of
energy. If it had taken up, or allowed to be taken up, the rails on the
Aquia Creek Road a year ago, the Piedmont connection would have been
made ere this; and then this famine would not have been upon us, and
there would have been abundance of grain in the army depots of Virginia.
APRIL 30TH.--Federal papers now admit that Gen. Banks has been
disastrously beaten in Louisiana. They also admit their calamity at
Plymouth, N. C. Thus in Louisiana, Florida, West Tennessee, and North
Carolina the enemy have sustained severe defeats: their losses amounting
to some 20,000 men, 100 guns, half a dozen war steamers, etc. etc.
Gen. Burnside has left Annapolis and gone to Grant--whatever the plan
was originally; and the work of concentration goes on for a _decisive_
clash of arms in Virginia.
And troops are coming hither from all quarters, like streamlets flowing
into the ocean. Our men are confident, and eager for the fray.
The railroad companies say they can transport 10,000 bushels corn,
daily, into Virginia. That will subsist 200,000 men and 25,000 horses.
And in June the Piedmont connection will be completed.
The _great_ battle may not occur for weeks yet. It will probably end the
war.